Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: rklisme on July 23, 2004, 04:39:40 PM
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Hey Guy's
It is pretty obvious that we all play and love our Alembics but I am sure like myself some of us have other instruments we play. What other basses do you have and why do you use them? While you are at it what style of music do you enjoy playing? I can think of many reasons to buy a bass but a few might be price, sound, investment, looks, or maybe your favorite bass player plays one!
I personally have in my collection, One Black Fender Jazz Bass with maple neck, 6 string Ken Smith Bubinga with hard rock maple and Pau Ferro fretboard, two 5 string Ken Smith basses with quilted maple and maple neck with rose wood fretboards, two band and four band electronics, Red Essence 4 string with Europa electronics, maple top with ebony fretboard.
I mainly play through a Gallien Krueger combo amp with 1-10 and 70 watts but my main rig consist of Eden 6-10 setup. Most of the gigs I do are replacement bass player gigs so my style varies however I probably do most of my work out of the fake/ real books!
It seems sometimes when you show up to a gig that nothing will do for that particular gig but a Fender. I often hear I want that Fender sound, blah, blah, blah, so I bring it and change to my Alembic later! Anyway I would love to hear what everyone else is doing!
Rory
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Over the years(tooo many)I have owned a Crestwood,a 77' Fender P,a 72'Rick,an 84'Fender J,a '93 Musicman Stingray which I sold a few months later one fateful day to buy my 94'Alembic Epic 4.Nine years later I bought a 03'Rogue 5.After I bought the Epic,I swore I would own no other bass but an Alembic.I've played but never owned Ken Smith's,Zon's,Yamaha's,Steinberger's,ect...but nothing,so far,even comes close to an Alembic.I run my Alembic's through an SWR sm400 with an Alembic SF-2 in the effects loop and into 2 Eden 410XLT's.I would love to own however,a setup like Paul's Tweak Peaks.I WANT GLOCKENKLANG POWER/SPEAKER'S AND ALEMBIC PROCESSING.NOW!
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In addition to my family of 9 (soon to be ten) Alembics I just picked up a Gibson Ripper L9S to replace my first bass. I also picked up a Jetglo Ric 4003 stereo. I replaced the pickguard to make it all black. My bro has a rare dark walnut 4001 in the 70's. I didn't have any cash to buy it from him. So now I play my Yes, Rush, etc in my studio. I'm even dusting off my PK5 pedals and synth modules to rattle the foundation! I only gig with Alembics. The others are for sentimental reasons and severe GAS while waiting the past 15 months for #10!
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A De,armond pilot bass is my other axe,but it's in the closet,my alembic (old#12)is my best friend and has been for 25 yrs.
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Around about 1968 I convinced myself that Jack Bruce is some form of deity, hence my Warwick Thumb Bass. That's my only other bass besides the Epic. I sold the Fenders to get the Warwick and never looked back. Not that they were bad instruments but I'm much more satisfied with what I have now.
I'm bidding on a Guild B302 that's on ebay. This is for sentimental reasons only (see the regrets thread). That was my first bass and I'm getting soft in my old age.
Any new serious aquisitions though will be Alembic. There is just nothing like them in any catagory, tone, playability, workmanship, etc.
Twin Peaks is awesome as is Bonnie. There isn't a Glockenklang dealer anywhere near me. The only place I know that I've heard them is Twin Peaks herself on the Drive website. Very much worth the visit BTW.
Sam
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(Message edited by rami on July 24, 2004)
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Hey Danno,
I remember the Ripper! I had a thing for it at one time - I particularly liked the fretless one. Although I feel it's unfortunate that Gibson never seemed to put the same effort to developing and marketing their basses as they do their guitars.
I have one Gibson Bass - an SG-Z I found used. It's in perfect condition. They only made it for a short time (1998-2001) until like most Gibson Basses (except of course, the legendary Thunderbird)- it was discontinued. I paid $600 for it. I was shocked to find out it was selling new for almost $2300!!!! Probably explains why it never sold. I'm thinking about sending it to Alembic to upgrade it, or maybe I'll just keep it as is... A cool looking SG Bass that was too short lived and WAY overpriced.
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I aquired a Gibson EB-3 (vintage '68 or so) from a friend back in the early '80's for a song. I fixed a guitar tech's A/C in his old Buick in exchange for him setting up the thing (neck needed to be clamped, etc.). My brother still has it. Unfortunately, even though it has two p/u's plus the five-position Varitone p/u selector switch, it has five sounds,: mud, mud, muddy, muddier, muddiest, LOL! The weird scale limits your choice on strings as well...no Rotos for this bad boy, LOL!
As a long-time Gibson fan and an owner of a Custom Shop Les Paul: Gibson should spend Les money on marketing, and more money on making their instruments better. I used to think their stuff was quality, until I saw Alembic's stuff up-close and personal: no comparison. Just my $0.02.
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Besides my 3 Alembics I enjoy an all original 1977 Fender Precision with maple neck for some vintage passive sounds. In the living room hangs my first bass, a customised 1977 Guild B-301, that gets picked up occasionally for some 'acoustic' plucking on the sofa. You can see that strange phenomenon on the picture in my profile BTW. I also have a DeArmond Pilot Deluxe that I'm looking to sell, great bass but just no comparison to my Alembics.
Wilfred
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Hey Guys
It is interesting to hear so many of you own or have own Gibson Basses. To me it almost seems like they are the exact opposite of what Alembic is all about as far as tone and sound are concerned but, what do I know?
Rami, you probably have more basses than all of us combined, how did you first get started with Alembic? What style of music do you play? What would be your all time favorite Alembic?
Keavin,will you retire #12 anytime soon or will you wear her like a Timex? Might be time for #12 to have grandkids!
I would like to thank everyone for chiming in on this subject, I am sure it has come up before in the past but I have only been around a short time. Most of you did not mention styes I would also be interested in what style of music you play!
Rory
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Hey Rory,
My first Alembic is a '98 fretless Excel 4 Walnut top. I found it (it found me) one day as I was browsing my local music store for a fretless Bass. It was only $1499. Totally blew me away! The salesguy knew enough to leave me alone with it long enough until I fell completely in love with it. I held it in a full embrace as he was preparing the bill and calling for it's case from their stockroom. Until I played that Bass, I never truly heard a Bass sing. That kinda says it all for me and Alembics - they're simply the best, the Stradivarius or Rolls Royce of Basses.
That one will always hold a special place in my heart. My current favorite(s) have to be the ones designed by myself and Mica, The Dark Prince, Evil Twin and (currently being completed) Black Byrd.
As for the type of music I play on them, Everything and Anything!!! They sing!
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I got my first and only Alembic Spoiler 5 (coco bolo) back in 94, it has been the best bass ive ever played, before this i had a 91 Fender p bass lyte, and i still have a 76 Fender Musicmaster great little bass but it just sits in the closet, My next Alembic will be Spoiler 5 (coco bolo) with led's, series II electronics - the style of music i play is all original heavy alternative rock with female vocal - can be heard at www.songramp.com (http://www.songramp.com) band name White Iris - you may have to join songramp to hear us but join cause its free and you can post your own music there and hear some great other songwiters and bands
cheers
Hup
ALEMBICISE THE WORLD
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In addition to my 4 string Series I and 5 string Series II, I have....(in the order I acquired them)
* a 6 string fretted Hanewinckel
* a 6 string fretless Hanewinckel
* a 5 string Marchlewski
My Series II is my main bass and is featured at all gigs. The fretless Hanewinckel goes with me on gigs and gets played on some of the more mellow tunes or on stuff that moves so fast that I want to eliminate noise from me banging against the frets.
Peace,
James
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My herd is as follows:
1973 Fender Jazz Bass, with Badass Bridge and Seymour Duncan pickups. Has black block maple neck.
1994 Fender Jazz Bass 1975 RI, set up as above.
1974 Gibson Ripper, and it's beat to ?hit. But it plays and sounds great!
1976 Rickenbacker 4001, Autumnglo.
1979 Musicman Stingray, Maple. Got it off of ebay, and I think it's been refinished. Just had the neck refretted (same on the '73 Jazz).
1987 Gibson Thunderbird that's about to have Bartolini pickups and electronics dropped in it (stock TB pickups suck, IMHO).
2003 Alembic Spyder, #7 of 50.
2003 Alembic Europa 4, with LEDs.
2004 Ovation Celebrity Acoustic bass (bought it yesterday in the Nakwon market in Seoul, South Korea).
The Ripper, Thunderbird, Musicman, and Alembics I bought because I always wanted them when I was younger, but couldn't afford them. The Jazz Basses and the Rickenbacker is what I grew up playing. I also had Guild B301 (my first decent bass), but I haven't been able to find one in good enough condition to bid on on Ebay.
Favorites? The Alembics, of course. But I do love the Jazz, Rick, and the Ripper as well. I find myself playing my Alembics more than the others, but I play all of them. I'm not a collector - I play my stuff. I really like some of the funky sounds you can get out of a Ripper, and the Jazz sound is kind of a standard for me (it's why I bought the Europa).
Alan
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I have my beloved 1980 Rickenbacker 4001 in azureglo. I got it new in 1981 - takes a while for these things to reach the UK!
I also have a Westone Thunder 1A fretless, which cost something like ?200 when I bought it new in the mid-80's. I bought it because it was hanging in the shop in the town I used to work in, it had been there a while and no-one seemed to want it. When I played it, I couldn't understand why. It played really well and still does - yep, it's on the basic side and it didn't cost a fortune (I struggled to afford it at the time) but it responds well to different strings and I really enjoy it. Along with the 4001, it's the only bass I've bought and kept. Plenty of others have come and gone along the way.
You might seem amazed by this, but I still play them both regularly even though I have the Dragon's Wing. Obviously it can't replace a fretless but it also cannot make Rickenbacker sounds. Nothing can except Rickenbacker.
I've also got a whole collection of synthesizers - basically I need to win the lottery and give-up working for a living so that all of my instruments can have the attention they deserve. If you're not interested in synths, stop reading now...the list is:-
Moog Mini-Moog
Moog Source
Moog Taurus II Controller
Roland Jupiter 8
Roland D-50
Roland PK-5
Novation KS5
Roland TR707 rhythm composer
Cheers,
Rog
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Hey Guy's
Quite a few of these basses I have heard of but some are very alien to me. James I have never heard of a Hanewinckel or a Marchlewski how do they compare to your Alembics? Are they high-end instruments? I remember the Gibson Ripper, although I have not seen one in a few years. At the time they were introduced I thought they were pretty cool. I think I just aged myself! Speaking of age, I went on a gig last night for someones CD release party, I was part of the opening act anyway it was in San Francisco and very overcast and cloudy. The venue was artsy with a lot of directional lighting but none on stage. As I have mentioned previously most of my work is from the real/fake book and I could not see. Had to borrow someones reading glasses to make it through. It is tough having 48 year old eyes! In one piece C diminished looked like C flat to me but no one seemed to notice the obvious tension I was creating. In fact afterwards another fellow musician from the audience compared some of what I was doing to Anthony Jackson! I think they were on meds but I will take the compliment. Thanks again for chiming in I didn't realize so many of you had so much equipment.
One other question for anyone out there! I am thinking about doing a 5 string short scale series I, tuned E,A,D,G,C and I have a few concerns. First off how tough is it to get strings in a light round wound gauge for a short scale bass? I have never played a short scale bass so I wonder about playablilty. I sit down on all my gigs so will I have to worry about the famous neck dive I hear about? Any of you that have owned or played one please give me your feedback!
Rory the old one!
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Hi guys,
Here's my current line-up:
2001 Alembic MK standard
2004 Status KingBass Artist
1987 Jaydee GA24
1991 Musicman Stingray
1988 Aria Cat Pro II (did 'a Jaco' and ripped the frets out of this one - great fretless!)
And the ones I've let go over the years:
1990 Washburn Status
A couple of 1980s Hohner Steinberger cricket bats
A Mexican Fender Jazz V Deluxe
K.
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Hi Guys,
my current basses are:
Alembic Spyder 4
Alembic Spyder 8
Ovation Elite Acoustic bass (former owner JE)
I play through an Eden WT400 top plus 4x10XLT and 1x15XL.
The basses I have owned over the years besides many guitars have been:
-Ovation Magnum bass
-Hoyer Flying V bass fretless
-Hohner Steinberger Copy
-Gibson EB-1 Violin Bass, original 1954
with o/c and endpin (I regret having this sold!)
-(Chapman Stick)
So in the old days besides the guitars nothing spectacular except the EB-1.
As soon as I have a new job I want to concentrate on bass collecting again.
Many greetings
Oliver (Spyderman)
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Oliver, Eden makes great stuff. I was looking at the Metro combo at Bass Central a couple of weeks ago. However Senior Management thought furniture should be the priority for now.
Good luck with the job hunt. I'm thinking about you.
Sam
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This is the list of my Instruments:
Alembic Series 1 1976
Warwick Thumb 1987
Warwick Thumb Jack Bruce signature 1990
Fender Precision Bass 1966
Framus Caravelle 1966
Chapman Stick
Cheers
Harald
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Besides Alembic I own
J.K. Lado standard 1978 EMG electr. (my first serious bass).
Egmond bass 19?? (Feels like 1900 BC)
Fender Jazzbass US 2000 with Bartolini and J-retro
Music Man Stringray 1988
Moon Jazzbass all white Larry Graham type. 19??
That Moon bass is fantastic. One of the best basses I've ever had. (I want another one).
Manfred
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I have cut back on some basses lately, so here is what I have today.
1972 Alembic
1973 Alembic
1973 Alembic
1978 BecVar Bass
1978 Hyak Bass
1979 Rick Turner Model 1
1979 Hyak Bass
1981 Alembic
2000 Alembic
That is too many. I am parting with one of the Hyaks, and I may part with the BecVar and one of the older Alembics.
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Why limit it to basses? Here are my current instruments:
1982 Alembic Distillate 4
1990s Ibanez SoundGear 505 (not bad for the price!)
DeArmond electric guitar (doubles as boat oar)
Guild D-212 acoustic guitar (strung with 6 strings)
1970s Baldwin Fanfare Organ (free if anyone wants it!)
And those instruments which are no longer with me:
1997 (I think) Alembic Epic 4 fretless (now in Germany, last I heard)
1987 Modulus 5-string (pre-Quantum)
Fender American Standard Jazz 4
Warwick Corvette Standard 4
Gibson SG electric guitar
Antigua Winds alto sax
Selmer clone (cheap) tenor sax
Monique baritone sax (used to be my 'main axe!' ... main sax, i suppose)
Fender A-style mandolin
Yamaha trumpet
Jupiter flute
...and a bunch more I can't really remember...
I'm always interested in buying and trading, so anyone looking to get rid of any gear (from basses to steel drums to saxes and anything in between) drop me an email. I am especially interested in fretless instruments, both bass and otherwise. (Hey, I got a great fretless trombone here...)
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Ok, here's my list:
1973 Rickenbacker 4001 - Mapleglow, currently being refretted
199? Ibanez Soundgear 500 - Cheap, but really nice tone...it's a poor man's Alembic, and I bought it when I was...well...POOR.
I also have a fair collection of synths, which include:
Korg X-3
Korg Wavestation SR
Korg Prophecy
Alesis QSR
Roland XV3080
All operated by either an 88-key controller or 17 pedal foot controller, depending on song/section of song.
Ken (TEO)
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Ken - Glad to see I am not the only one here with an Ibanez bass. I too have compared mine to a 'poor man's Alembic.' The feel and tone are great for the price. I bought mine when I was 16, so needless to say I was poor. Now I am 19, living alone, and still poor...but there is an Alembic in my living room, so all is well.
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Hey Malthumb, just curious, how is that Marchlewski bass? I saw your your pictures and that bass looks very pretty. Does it play and sound like it looks?
Also Dela, if you do decide to sell one of those early Alembics let me know, I'll see if I can keep it in this great city of NOLA.
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Own? Several. Zon (2), Spector (2), original Dean, Tacoma.
Play? No others since I got the Persuader 5. I need to buy another Alembic so that I can play another bass again.
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Geez, we're all gear hawgs !
My current line up is
'98 Spector Euro
'71 Rick 4001
'67 Rick 330/12
'90 Rick 330/6
Hamer Special (forget the yr)
'78 Ibanez Geo.Benson
Oberhiem Maxtrix 6
Roland XP30
Yamaha TG77
Esoniq ESQ-M
MOTM/Oakley Modular synth
Pre-CBS Bandmaster
Pre-CBS Bassman
I'm still Alembic poor, but working on unloading some of the above. (besides,I need some room for more toys)
Gary
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Rory and Jorge,
The Hanewinckels and the Marchlewski are all very nice basses. I'd hold either of them up as a decent poor man's Alembic. Both types are named for the luthiers that produce them and exhibit excellent craftsmanship. All three of mine (2 Hanewinckels and 1 Marchlewski) have Bartolini electronics and pickups.
Now, when I say they are poor man's Alembics, I mean that in terms of styling and design and wood quality and craftsmanship. They don't sound as awesome as my Alembics.
Email me at martinjlm@aol.com (mailto:martinjlm@aol.com) if you need more detail
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Here's my list:
Rice
Lentils
Split Peas
Onions
Carrots
Mushro..
whoops; wrong list!
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Hi Brother Shawn! no ...TI flats are not possible on a Rob Allen. The guitar simply would snap in two pieces. Only La Bella's 760n XL scale, and Rotosound Trubass 88 XL scale are allowed. They have a light steel core and are black nylon wrapped. The action on a Rob Allen is fairly high and so they are strung with low-tension strings (and consequently are -in 5 string- 35" scale fingerboards). I think -but I am NOT sure- that brother Rami use the La Bella's also on the fretless part of his evil twins.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11758.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11759.jpg)
Paul TBO PS: Rob Allen -who is a great guy- learned his "thing" with Rick Turner and build the Turner piezo basses with him. He left the Turner company to build for his own. Hehehehehe ....sounds familiar no? The main difference between the Turner and the Allen is that in the former is a relatively extended tone control and electronics to get the well known "mwah" sound. Allen only uses a volume knob and starts by buidling a bass were the woodcombination on itself has to sound good. Well ...sounds familiar too no??? (Message edited by palembic on August 06, 2004)
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OH BTW,
Alemboid I went to see your homepage and really liked the stuff. The mp3 are very nice. Nice fretless tone.
Paul TBO
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Hello, Bad One,
I was fortunate enough to find myself with a Turner Ren in my hands a few years ago, but remember it as feeling kind of flimsy, at least to me. Does the Allen have a more substantial feel?
And yes, I was aware of the master/apprentice connection, though as I heard the story, there is some friction between them.
Bro. KFS the Giggly Gossip
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Dank U zeer, Paul TBO!
The fretless is my Orion 5 fretless. Other tunes are either the Sadowsky or the Clarke deluxe. Funny thing is that the fretless sounds better now than it did then. I'd guess 4 years have passed and I've changed strings once!
Your Rob Allen is incredible. The top wod is so gorgeous- it looks like it's in motion! I love their tone, too. I think they sound more like an upright bass than most EUB's do. I also noted that when you dig in, they can take it and respond very musically. It is a very elegant instrument- simple, functional, light in weight- heavy in sound.
As soon as I can get a digicam, I'll post some decent pictures of my babies.
Tot straaks,
Alemboid
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Mica heeeeeeee-elp,
those US-dudes are goin' internationally.
Shawn: I am not sure what flimsy means. I guess more like a toy? The bass IS light but it's very ...ohoho ...huhuhuh ...comfortable-sweet - but in the same time substantial to hold. A minor inconvenience is the absence of a flattened part of the body where you can rest your arm (there is a name for that but ...sigh ...) ...help!!!
Yes I know they didn't part as good friends. I guess Rick didn't left Alembic as a good friend either. History repeats itself!
Paul TBO
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Other than a somewhat home made Frankenstein fretless that I put together I've played nothing but Alembics since 1989. This year my wife bought me a really nice tobacco sunburst Fender American Jazz Bass for my upcoming (ahem....)50th birthday. I preveiously played a 1962 Jazz Bass but sold in in '89. (BONE-HEAD !!!!) but found a really nice 1981 Series I the same day for 800.00 (got 1,000 for the Fender for which I originally only paid 150.00) Sold the Series I a few years ago (MORON !!!)I'd like to find another older small body Series I.
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Have you ever tried to explain mwah to someone? My wife and I were out listening to a jazz group with the bass player using a fretless Samick. Debi asked how I knew it was fretless and I told her by the sound. First I said think of how Jaco sounded. That got me a blank stare so I said listen for the mwah. That wasn't much better. Finally she picked up on it after a few minutes of me sitting there going mwah, mwah.
Sam
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Paul, prachtige bas, die Rob Allen!
Where did you purchase that one, if I might ask? Was it a European deal, or did it come from overseas? Maybe someday... (G.A.S.)
Wilfred
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Broertje Wilfred,
nee ze worden niet ingevoerd hebt zelluf gedaan.
Brother Stoney -the hidden Italian that just outed himself as a stupido selling basses 3 posts ago- knew that I was looking for a Epiphone Jack Cassidy. He gave me a hint for the website of another (Canadian) clubmember who as selling some stuff. The JC's were not for sale and, anyway I fell in love with the Rob Allen. And with some help fro, a friend and UPS I got the bass a couple of weeks later.I am the third owner I guess.
There IS a EU dealer in ...Finland ...of ALL places (sorry Brother Jan the Boat one).
Paul the bad one
PS: Speaking of GAS ...I'm dreaming of a Dingwall Prima or Z1 6 string.
GAS ...whoooooooo ...bad thing!
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I'll pitch my hat into the ring of Wow, that Rob Allen looks amazing! Way to go Paul! And KFS, you're the winner of one US greenback. I've owned two Stingrays and a Stingray-like Carvin and have sold them all. I certainly love what guys like Tony Levin and Paul S. Denman do with Stingrays, but I could never get a sound I was truly happy with - they are too crispy in the high-end for me. The high-end on Alembics is just so pleasing to my ears, and very easy to arrive at! Plug and chug!
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(Message edited by rami on August 07, 2004)
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The only Stingray I have left is my 20th Anniversary. I had a chance to buy one with a Rosewood fingerboard to go with my Maple one, but I was turned off by the condition the guy kept it in - Gotta show it some respect!
In hindsight though, I wish I would have bought it anyway - it is after all, a collector's item.
(Message edited by rami on August 08, 2004)
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deleted
(Message edited by lbanks on August 07, 2004)
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Sometimes, I don't like to use the Orion in 'high risk' situations. Then I use these two... a Squire P-Bass
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11789.jpg)
Lightwave Classica
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11790.jpg)
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I now have only one 'non-Alembic' bass left, which is actually my first bass, and it went through a lot of (D.I.Y.) changes since I first purchased it as a heavily modified 1977 Guild B-301 bass guitar! Wilfred
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/12066.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/12067.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/12068.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/12069.jpg)
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And this is the bass in 'full'...
Wilfred
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/12072.jpg)
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Paul TBO: I was on Jorma's furpeace ranch site the other day. In the past, you could by Jack's Epiphone sig. bass 'til the cows came home for $850USD directly on the site. Now both Jack's and Jorma's Epiphone' are out of stock...it says to call for availability. OMG, a world-wide shortage of Hot Tuna-laced Epiphones...better start hoarding them now, fellas, LOL!
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Wilfred when did your Guild loose it's frets?
Sam
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In autumn????
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Yes, I changed it to fretless myself (wasn't the time of the season). Because of my Alembics it almost didn't get any attention so I decided to give it the chance to start a second (or third or fourth) life as a fretless 'Jaco style'. I removed the frets, filled the slots with wood putty and gave the wonderful Brazilian rosewood fretboard 3 layers of yacht lacquer. Not only did this make the grain stand out in a wonderful way, the fretless sound is simply stunning! If only I could say the same about my playing technique...
Wilfred
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The playing technique wil come ...with the spring season in your life.
Paul TBO
It has nothing to do with age ...my spring goes on for 35 years already (given the fact that I start playing on my 15th)
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Oh Brother Larry,
would you please be so kind to tell us some more about the Lightwave Classica?? How does it works? How does it sound. BRother Bill , I know you own one too! Please feel free to chime in!
Paul TBO
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Just picked up an 02 Black Thunderbird. If I ever join a Motley Crue tribute band ....I'm set!
Danno
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You're gonna need a bigger house Danno!
Sam
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No wife and no kids and no pets leave a remarkable amount of room for my addiction! It is a bonafide sickness as Rami can attest to.
Danno
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Palembic: The Lightwave has optic sensors built into the bridge monolith. It also has piezo's but they can only be added to the optical signal. The sound with roundwounds I can only describe as a roar, kinda like how a lion would sound, if you could play a lion. Very deep, but very growlly. I changed the strings to TI Jazz Flats and, IMO, the sound is like blending a synth, a P-bass and, the closest I can place the top-end element, a Gibson Ripper set to 'out-of-phase. Its very deep. I got a clip here: http://www.cutlasscom.biz/downloads/LightwaveTIjf.mp3 (http://www.cutlasscom.biz/downloads/LightwaveTIjf.mp3)
If that clip doesn't work, I got more examples in a country group at this page. (Right click icon and select 'Open in New Window'
http://www.cutlasscom.biz/The%20Krill-Banks%20Conspiracy.html (http://www.cutlasscom.biz/The%20Krill-Banks%20Conspiracy.html)
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Got a couple more last week...
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/12202.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/12203.jpg)
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An S D CURLEE??? I haven't seen one in forever!
What a funky little bass. I always remember the 'buthcer block' ones is all white wood.
But . . . I'd cut out the bolt neck Spectors and get a Czech built Euro. For me the bolt neck ruins it. And the Czech quality is fabulous for less than half of the NY-state models.
J o e y
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I'm just a member of the 'bolt/set' neck crowd. 15 of my 17 are bolt/set neck. That Curlee is amazing! That little sucker can sound like anything, and punches thru the mix like George Foreman! If it wasn't for some design flaws and some unfortunate circumstances, it should have been a winner.
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I have for the last 6 years or so been using various Fodera's. I have a Monarch 4, an Emperor 5 and an AJ Presentation 6. I do love them all. Especially since my wife bought the 5 and the 6 for me as gifts.
I also own an F Bass 6, a couple of Sei 6 strings and a Warr Artisan.
Oh crumbs almost forgot the Status Kingbass !!
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Okay NIck ...now you've gone too far.
Listen very carefully I will say this only once:
PICTURES
Please-please-pleeeeeeeeeeese?????
Paul the bad one
Oh ...huhuh ...this IS the renegade thread no??? Mmmmmm ...will Mica show us the pictures of her Fender P-bass???? hehehehehe ...just kidding!
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My non Alembic family:4003, prototype Ovation, Ripper L9S, StickBass, Thunderbird.
Danno (http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/12254.jpg)
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(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/12258.jpg)
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(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/12261.jpg)
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Hey PTBO I'll get working on more photos but here are a couple of tasters my Emperor 5 and my AJ6
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/12274.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/12275.jpg)
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Nick ...plea-ease can I borrow your wife for ...oh ...huhuhu ...na -aaaah ....that would be indecent.
MAN I LOVE THAT SIX STRING!!!!!!!!!
It is soooooo essential as design.
I really hope she sound as good as she looks!
Paul the bad one
rats ...I just cleaned my keyboard of the drool I spilled looking at Brother -ox junior- Mike's wife (no ...not at his My Wife but at Jackie his girlfriend) and now can start allover.
***sigh*** I HAVE something with other mans women and basses ...I have to see a shrink.
(Message edited by palembic on August 27, 2004)
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Drooooooooool, My Oh My, (fainted.....revived by emergency medical crew), Freaking out, searching for words, ah- here we go- WOW!!!
One thing I love about the Fodera AJ Sig. model is when they are built as yours is. Spectacular wood, without the Mike Pope preamp, just simple, elegant beauty! That carved top is the cherry on top of a big delicious dessert! I wanna wanna wanna - gimme gimme gimme.... Gotta get one!
Nick, you be da man!!!
Star struck Alemboid
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Hi Nick,
is it the 6 string so difficult to play for you??
Sorry to hear that.
I keep myself as candidate in case you want to it to go to other hands. Although ...don't rush it because as you know, I lost my job again so ...well ...no basses for me for some tiem now.
Paul the bad one
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Hi PTBO
Yes unfortunately it is that monster that is giving me some trouble some of the time. Somedays I can do it, somedays no, it just depends on my hands. I have no plans to part with this baby at the moment. If I ever do I'll let you know. Once I have a better idea how my 33 Alembic works I'll rationalise my collection.
Cheers
Nick
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Hi alemboid
I'm glad you like the AJ. It's been my dream bass for a long while and it certainly lives up to expectations in terms of sound and playability. As you probably know hand problems (not caused by the AJ but by a past motorcycle accident) are turning me toward a more manageable instrument. I hope one day you have the chance to own one of these great basses.
Cheers
Nick
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Besides my Alembics, I'm also a HUGE fan of the 70's Jazz Bass. I've got a couple that I'm really attached to. They feature Ash bodies with Maple and the Pearl blocks. My coolest Jazz Bass has got to be my '81 Gold Jazz Bass. I actually remember seeing it brand new hanging in a store when I was a kid. Who knew I'd end up owning it? I've had it for about 15 years now. I still keep it in near perfect condition.
Here she is!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11453.jpg)
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Droooooooooo-ool
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It's amazing how some basses become iconic in our minds. I routinely hate Fenders, yet I NEVER forgot seeing a Gold Jazz like Rami's in a store years ago. I've often thought of building a Warmoth like it with a matching gold headstock, white EMGs, and a better bridge and keys. One day . . . .
I played neck thru Yamahas in the heyday of my band days in the 80's and 90's. They were all gone by the time I found my Spoiler. However for Christmas, I did treat myself to another 'icon': An almost mint white Yamaha BB5000A that I found in a pawn shop. I bought strictly for sentimental reasons, and it makes me happy as a reminder of the old days. It's no Alembic, but it's fine for an 'off the rack' bass. I get to laugh out loud at the clowns playing StingRay Fives and Sadowsky fives, as I stole this for 500 bucks, and they're bolt-ons !
J o e y
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PS: Ibanez basses:
Ibanez made some purportedly 'custom shop' neck thrus around 2000-2001 with EMGs that are VERY fine, if I could just find a five-string. The SoundGears a great ripoff of the TUNE Bass Maniac, a really cool bass that never had the solid distribution to match its amazing qualitites.
J o e y
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I have a bunch of other basses, but why would I play them?
Actually I play my Michael Kelly fretless 5-string acoustic. Not because there's really anything special about it. Just because it's so handy to have an acoustic hanging there (Jack: it feels like it's somehow calling to me, Uncle Jowles: hmm, that is odd). All my other basses have become wall decorations for the forseeable future.
But I do miss my custom 4003 fretless...
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Okay, okay. Here's my list.
Alembic Stanley Clarke signature (97)
Gibson Les Paul Triumph (short scale) bass
1981 Fender Squier p-bass (not a bad copy, right down to the dead D on the G string)
1979 Music Man Stingray
NS electric upright
1923 Ernst Heinrich Roth acoustic bass
1980 Martin M-36 acoustic guitar
Marc Beneteau acoustic guitar
Gibson LG-12 12-string acoustic guitar
Pre-CBS Fender telecaster
Washburn mandolin
Eagle banjo
King 2-B tenor trombone
Gallien-Kruger MB150S
Yorkville Sound 400B
Fender Tube Reverb unit (totally wierd)
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Okay, okay. Here's my list.
Alembic Stanley Clarke signature (97)
Gibson Les Paul Triumph (short scale) bass
1981 Fender Squier p-bass (not a bad copy, right down to the dead D on the G string)
1979 Music Man Stingray
NS electric upright
1923 Ernst Heinrich Roth acoustic bass
1980 Martin M-36 acoustic guitar
Marc Beneteau acoustic guitar
Gibson LG-12 12-string acoustic guitar
Pre-CBS Fender telecaster
Washburn mandolin
Eagle banjo
King 2-B tenor trombone
Gallien-Kruger MB150S
Yorkville Sound 400B
Fender Tube Reverb unit (totally wierd)
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That Gold Jazz is awesome, Rami! You should do a bass version of the Barber Museum. You could charge 'em and we'll/they'll all pay....Build it, and they will come! LOL!
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The Gold Jazz Bass was built from '81 to '83 with a few minor variations. It never appeared in any Fender catalogue, nor was it ever advertised. They're identified by a serial number beginning with CB-----. They all have the same bridge, gold hardware and finish, but I've seen some with white dots (probably '83 models), and some that lacked the gold thumbrest (early '81). It's a true collectors item - I'm glad I hung on to it all these years. It has a VERY sweet sound. As well, IT WEIGHS A TON!!! Puts my right leg to sleep within 10 minutes.
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Here is my rig:
-1987 Hohner Steinberger headless bass (but I sold it)
-1994 Ibanez TR (the first bass I bought, but I tuned it (pu?s, pots, etc.)
-1997 Dean Edge (my first five string /tuned as well)
But I prefer my own basses which I build by myself. A couple of four/five strings with different string spacings and woods. From 24 to 29 frets, with tremolo...
But in acouple of weeks I get an Alembic (again!).I have to replace my one because my Epic died during a car crash.
Here is my current main axe(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11493.jpg)
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Oh, sure. Fender, Gibson, Guild, Roscoe, Vigier, Spector, Steinberger; have played but turned down Sadowsky, MTD, Custom Shop Fenders, Wal, Tobias, Taylor, EBMM, Warwick back when they were good basses and every other thing I could find.
Continual poverty has led to me switching basses more times than I don't know what, looking for The Perfect Tone, which is basically what my tendon-shredding old PRS does fingerstyle but with the ability to slap and actually dial down the action.
I've owned Alembics before, actually two at one time, but I've finally coughed up enough scratch for a Series bass.
Oh, my.
A few of you were kind enough to offer supportive words during the three-day heart attack I had while it was in transit. At that time I was worried about the money angle if something happened to it. Now, I worry because it's an irreplacable tool for the creation of music, the second I've been fortunate enought to own in my lifetime.
Will I buy other basses? Hell, I hope so...it would suck to balance on the poverty line forever. But for right now, I've bitten off as much as I can chew with a top-of-the-line Alembic.
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Hendrick, that is nice! I do like Zebrawood. You made it yourself? I would love to see more photos. If you don't mind feel free to email me schap1@bellsouth.net (mailto:schap1@bellsouth.net) I don't know how you would feel about showcasing a non Alembic on the board.
Sam
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I suggest we all start behaving badly (you know ...the way I am ...yeah ...suuuuuuure) and give the moderators here some work. So ....start posting the non Alembics.
Paul the bad one
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Paul; the moderators are all busy working on my bass, so please do not distract them!
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Ok ...
what if i yell
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH
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Paul's right. There hasn't been any good moderating around here in a long time. Go for it Hendrick let's see that beauty in all of her glory!
Sam
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Aaaaah ...Sam those moderators ....they don't make them anymore as they used to.
ts-ts-ts
Paul TBO
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I guess they're to busy being creative and productive.
hey why is my bass taking so long?
because we've had to spend time moderating Paul and Sam
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85 Modulus TBX neckthru 5 string with Alembic PUPs and electronics (Thanks Roy!)
78 Fretless maple neck Pbass
77 Jazz - blond, with the blocks and the thawnk
90 Elan Plus (PJ, VPT with Q, quick tone switches)
97 Jazz 5 string
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Alright, I post to more pics of the first to basses I ever made. The pics are quiet small so the moderators can finish Dave's bass ASAP
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1.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11598.jpg)
2.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11599.jpg)
Number three is the one above
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Oh yeah, the tape on the second one is actually a stencil (my dictionary told me) for the cocobolo pickguard I'm building right now.
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Very nice work. Thanks for taking the time to post them.
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My current collection consists of:
1985 Spoiler (4-string, Zebrawood on Mahogany)
1991 Fender Jazz Plus (4-string, Sunburst, 3/4 size, active electronics)
1996 Fender Jazz (4-string, Sunburst, Anniversary Issue, active electronics)
2003 Godin A-5 (5-string, acoustic/electric)
2003 Excel (4-string, MXY/Fatboy, Walnut-Maple-Purpleheart-Ash)
Ellery (Lowlife)
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Other than my lovely Alembics, I pound out the grooves with this unique Sadowsky I built when I worked there. Flame maple fingerboard, quilt top, vol. vol. tone. bass, treble controls, recessed strap buttons and about 7.5 lbs. I love this bass, but it doesn't sound like an Alembic!!!
Alemboid
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sorry, my image got dumped. 221k was too much. How do you post photos, especially if they are over 150k?
Alemboid
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sorry, my image got dumped. 221k was too much. How do you post photos, especially if they are over 150k?
Alemboid
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You just have to resize them a bit (measurements and/or quality) in Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro or any other drawing / picture editor programme you may have on your computer until they're 150k or less. With MS Paint (standard Windows application) you can only change the measurements, but because you're almost there with 221k it might already do the trick.
Good luck!
Wilfred
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double post (something wrong with the server?)
(Message edited by the_mule on July 31, 2004)
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I've also had a problem with double posts. I forgot to mention that I also have a StickBass w/ midi and a Prototype Ovation 4 str acous/elect bass in black w/ fine flakes
Danno
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Please oh please work!!! ok- one more time- My other bass, the Sadowsky...
Alemboid(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11701.jpg)
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Gosh ...that's a most gorguous bass. She got a Marilyn style over here.
Paul TBO
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just courius,(does anyone know the sonic comparison) & how much different are SADOWSKY's ceramic pickups compared to ALEMBIC's ceramics?,ive noticed everyone makes ceramics pickups these days, thanks to alembic of course.
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Alemboid: Absolutely gorgeous!
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-Blush- Thanks, friends. I built her with my own two hands, and as a result she is, lets say, special. Unlike other Sadowsky basses, I radiused the edge of the body to 1/2 inch, installed abalone fret markers, two-toned the tuners, recessed the straplocks and customized the electronics. There is a better picture of her at bryant.hilgraves.com on my bio page. There, you will also see my Orion and Clarke Deluxe.
There is no comparison between the Alembic pickups and the Sadowsky pickups. The electronics in the Alembic are so radically refined. I played a friends jazz bass that has the Alembic Jazz bass replacement pickups in it- WOW!!! It was really brought to life by the Alembic electronics. I will likely replace the guts in the Sadowsky with a set.
I may build another jazz type bass in sunburst for old times sake.
Will we ever be satisfied with all the choices out there?
Alemboid
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-Blush- Thanks, friends. I built her with my own two hands, and as a result she is, lets say, special. Unlike other Sadowsky basses, I radiused the edge of the body to 1/2 inch, installed abalone fret markers, two-toned the tuners, recessed the straplocks and customized the electronics. There is a better picture of her at www.bryant.hilgraves.com (http://www.bryant.hilgraves.com) on my bio page. There, you will also see my Orion and Clarke Deluxe.
There is no comparison between the Alembic pickups and the Sadowsky pickups. The electronics in the Alembic are so radically refined. I played a friends jazz bass that has the Alembic Jazz bass replacement pickups in it- WOW!!! It was really brought to life by the Alembic electronics. I will likely replace the guts in the Sadowsky with a set.
I may build another jazz type bass in sunburst for old times sake.
Will we ever be satisfied with all the choices out there?
Alemboid
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Alemboid:
So I've always wondered: WHY would I shell out for a Sadowsky when I could build the same thing from Warmoth parts? Am I missing something here?
J o e y
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Alemboid - I'm not sure how long you've been around here, and Joey was away for a while, so on his behalf I just want you to know he's asking a simple, honest question, with no offense intended.
Obviously, this one is special because you built it yourself, but having never played a Sadowsky myself, I'm also a bit curious about why they have been mentioned here so often in recent months.
-Bob
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For what it's worth, I know Walter Becker is listed as playing Sadowsky guitars and basses on the latest Everything Must Go CD from Steely Dan.
Mike
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Joey: No need to build a bass from Warmouth parts. Lakland (amongst others) has already done that for you, LOL! Seriously, you get what you pay for. Sadowsky puts a lot of craftsmanship into their instruments...something Fender leaves out. BTW, I own Fenders but not Sadowsky's. I skipped them and went straight for an Alembic, LOL!
Bob: Since Sadowsky's forte is building high-end Jazz Basses, any time there's talk about Fender J's, Sadowsky's are usually mentioned in the same breath. Sadowsky's were mentioned on my Custom Orion FTC thread because I commissioned an Alembic version of a J-bass (albeit a very high-end version) without the big, heavy, clunky body.
Whether you like J's or not, E. Bryant's Sadowsky is top shelf and flat-out gorgeous. The fact that he's an ex-Sadowsky luthier and that he hand- built the thing to his own custom specs. makes it all the more special. I'd hold on to that thing regardless of what value the blue book or the market dictates. Just my $0.02
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Other basses I played that have been sacrificed on behalf of the Balance K I'm having built:
1996 20th Anniversary Music Man Stingray
1998 Alembic Orion 5 string
1997 Alembic Epic 5 string
1985 Alembic Distillate
1998 Fender Precision Am. Std.
1997 Fender Jazz Am. Std.
???? Warmoth Jazz (neck and body made 5 years apart)
Basses I'm keeping no matter what!
1995 Alembic Elan 5 string
1998 Alembic Orion 5 string (Std. Pt. body)
1980 Alembic Series 1
1973 Rickenbacker 4001 (my first real bass, bought it new in March of 1974 for $390.00, case included!)
1989 Fender Jazz fretless MIJ
2000 Zeta Strados Crossover
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Reid
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Hello Joey,
Welcome back! You ask a good question. For the price of a Sadowsky these days, you could by an Alembic. Some people can't get past the thought of a bass being nothing else than Fender like- meaning bolt on neck, shaped like a Fender with Fenderish sounds and painted. They may be skeptical about the Fenders available, in that their build quality varied from bass to bass, which resulted in some units sounding great (like Marcus Miller's bass) and some sounding horrible, even though they are from the same year(s). So, in pursuit of reliability and satisfaction, they go for a well built clone- Sadowsky, Modulus, Mike Lull, Lakland etc.
At Sadowsky, the necks and bodies are carved on a CNC machine, and from there, everything is by hand and delicately done. If you only knew how many bodies are rejected and resprayed due to finish inconsistancies, the fuss over final set-up, meticulous fret work, painstaking neck joint fitting, etc. That's why the price is what it is, and for Fenderholics, its a dream come true.
On the other hand, Alembic took what Fender did, and jumped ahead by eliminating inherent faults in the Fender design (mechanical neck joint, pots that are good enough, less stable neck construction, simple pickup design, etc.) and as a result, you find a unique sound in the Alembic due to everything it is (thank you Ron, Susan, Rick Turner, Mica & family).
You can buy a Ritter bolt-on neck bass (using 10 bolts) for $7,000.00, with a less well fit neck joint than a Sadowsky which may run $3,500.00. You can buy a Fender for as little as $300.00 if it's what satisfies you. Or you can buy what I feel is the ultimate refinement in design and the standard in build quality: Alembic. Check out the Alembic website and see the Factory Tour. Having built my own basses, having repaired other manufacturer's basses, I must say, Alembic 200 years from now will be what the Stradivari is now-the voice of god in tone, the essence of beauty (no pun intended) and still playable.
I'd like to thank the club members for their kind thoughts on my Sadowsky. What you don't see are all the autographs on the back and around the edge of the headstock by fellow bassists like Will Lee, Marcus Miller, Oscar Cartaya, Michael Rhodes, John Patittucci & more. Whenever these guys would stop by the shop, I kindly requested their signature. When I play this bass out, those names give me a boost of inspiration!
One day I'll build another bolt-on neck Fender Jazz type bass for myself. One day I'll also order another Alembic. On the same day, both will be with me at a gig. What we pay is motivated by what we think its worth. What we play is motivated by everything we've been influenced by up to the current day.
Some thoughts,
Alemboid (Bryant)
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After thought- (sorry),
Fodera and Ken Smith Basses are very well built basses. Like Alembics, a lot of hand work goes into them. In the end, what seperates Alembic from Ken Smith and Fodera are the electronics. Ken Smith and Fodera are both active like Alembic, but the refinement in pickup design and preamp circuitry are what seperates Alembic from the other two. The irony is that the Alembic system is so simple in layout/function, especially compared to the Fodera/Pope setup. Don't get me wrong, they are fine basses, but when you consider the research and advancement, the Alembic stands out as a true value for the money, not to mention the inspiration in the design of those other basses. I hope I didn't offend anyone!
...Had to throw that in,
Alemboid
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Well said!
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No other basses for me! Just the Alembic.
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Bryant:
N O W I get it!
Just like everything else in life, damn-near-perfect always costs a lot more than pretty good. Never having been a Fender guy, I just didn't get it. But I can see where Sadowsky (and fellas like you that obviously took MUCH pride in their work) is the Fender-you-always-wanted-but-they-never-built.
Thanks for the insight.
Bob, thanks for letting him know I really meant no disrespect; as usual, my peers know me well.
J o e y
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Reid, you gave up a 20th Anniversary Stingray?! True, it's no Alembic, but it's quite a collector's item.
Here's mine!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11723.jpg)
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SSSSSSssssexy!!!!! 20th Anniversary Stingrays are gorgeous! They sound incredible, too. Rami. you never fail to amaze me!
Alemboid
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I've said it before: Rami needs to open a Barber Motorsport Park-style museum with all his basses and charge for admission. Either that or do the Bass Culture book thing a la JAE!
Another very nice piece, Rami. What else have you got hidden up your sleeve? Inquiring minds wanna know, LOL!
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Yeah ...Brother Rami's collection is REALLY something. Can you imagine the time he was into Porches??? Oh ...and I forgot the Corvettes!
Huh ...just kidding but , when this goes on you never know what that guy will pull out of his sleeves next! HA!
Paul the bad one
Did I mentioned the HArleys also or am I trespassing Dino-country here?
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Harleys? I know about Dino: my first posts on this site discovered that. But....
Rami's into Harley's too? Good lord! Let's see some pix, Bro!
Just for Sh*ts and Giggles, I'm gonna try and post pix my new Custom Orion and my Customized H-D Road King in the showcase gallery (when I finally get the bass, that is. Hell, we already had the Cars and Alembics thing, now it's high time for the bikers in the group to have their day in the sun.
How 'bout it, Bros? Post 'em if you got 'em, LOL!
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Something serious now. Time for me to come out of the closet. Some attentive brothers and sisters already saw something different in Drive-pictures in the gig departement. Well ...there IS another new (well oh ...huh ..."new" thirdhandsomething) bass that I play. Family ...let me introduce you to Bonnies sister "Chi". See the pictures. It is a Rob Allen MB-2 35" 5 string fretless. Topwood Clarowood (yes Mica ...the SAME wood as Bonnie but ...look at her ...what a difference no???). Body ash. Neck Walnut. Fingerboard and bridge Coco-bolo. Apart from the 35" scale lenght it is a VERY COMPACT and LIGHT bass.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11739.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11740.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11741.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11742.jpg)
I loaded these pictures in a VERY LOW definition but believe me ...the wood-pattern is fabulous ...you can really get lost in it ...just by staring at it and turning it in the sunlight. It is in every view a high quality product. Soundwise there is NO bass in the world that differs more tonally from Bonnie than Chi and that is precisely the reason why I bought her. I found her with a club member and other members made me attention on her. So thanks to all of them. They know how gratefull I am Later on -end of september- I will try to post some pictures of the entire family when my "Frankenstein" project arrives. Paul the bad one Oh yes ...of course there is "Broomstick" ...she will be in the picture too!!!
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Nice...with a piezo p/u, bolt-on neck, and that wood combo, I'd imagine it'd sound like the polar opposite of an Alembic.
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Guys, your basses are outstanding! Isn't it great that we can just share our love for Basses without specific brand loyalty? They're all works of art - and they'll all make the ground shake!
Cheers
P.S. Anytime you see a Bass with Anniversary on it - GRAB IT! It'll be worth something oneday. At the least, something special to pass down to the next generation. If only my father was into Basses!
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Hey Rami, yeah I sold the 20th Anniversary I had. I was definitely torn over selling it, but for a variety of reasons it hit the auction block, and was gone. Sniff, sniff. :-( However, until the BK arrives, my Elan and Orion are keeping me sonically entertained! Here's pic of the dearly departed!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/11746.jpg)
Yours is absolutely beautiful. I always liked the maple-necked 20th Anniversary Stingrays!
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Paul; that's a very nice looking bass. I really like the book match of the grain pattern. The bridge is nice too.
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Paul - It is beautiful wood and figuring. I echo what Dave said. Now: Mister, Where are the Pictures?, I know when you bought this beauty - What took so long to post these?!?
Congrats on a great addition. Hope Bonnie's not jealous of the attention the new kid is getting...
Bill
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These are really all stunning instruments...very impressive guys.
Hey Paul...I'm actually in the market for a semi-hollow 5-string fretless, but hadn't come across the Rob Allens...this gives me something else to look into...what a wealth of info here.
Mikey/
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Hi Bill,
no Bonnie understands that Chi is something COMPLETELY different! Ho ... together with Tweak Peaks Bonnie can compete in any sound but Chi ...well ... it is a class apart. It is so different to play.
Mikey ...Glad to hear from you again. I know -for about 2 years now- our taste is very close so I suggest to visit www.roballenguitars.com (http://www.roballenguitars.com). Ok I may not advertise other brands ....where are these moders ...com'on.The RA IS semi-hollow indeed and weights about ...6 pounds.
Bill ...I was just waiting to come out of the closet to present the Alfa bass (the A-bass= FRankenstein project) together with Chi and Bonnie (also known as B?ta). But ...well ...the project slows down a bit.
Paul TBO
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What? Bonnie has a sister? Well hellooo, nurse (laughing), but I see she doesn't wear TI flats? Not my type of girl.
Brother Ray: I'd bet one US greenback that one of your reasons for selling the Anni SR is that while it was beautiful and well-crafted, its sound didn't live up to your expectations. No?
And reaching waaaay back (I've ignored this thread for a while, can you tell?), when I was shopping for My New Bass earlier this year I really, really tried to go for the Sadowsky thing, mostly because they're the hip thing for a lot of people right now. They sound wonderful, especially in a mix. They play well and feel fantastic. Most of them, except the occasional Seafoam Green monstrosity, are beautiful.
But the thing that turned me off them--zero offense intended, alemboid and everyone else--is that every piece is made somewhere else and meshed into their final form by the Sadowsky crew.
Alex Aguilar laid the circuit for that wonderful preamp before he went into the amp business under his own name. The bodies get their rough carve from another subcontractor, and Roger refuses to say who tho he denies it's Warmoth. The paint is done by yet another person.
What I respect about Alembic is that nearly every component is crafted by hand under one of their roofs. The bodies are glued and shaped and finished in one place, by hand. The pickups and electronics are made by the same person who designed them, and who, through constant close observation of these circuits, has learned to see their shortcomings and improved them. You can't buy that anymore.
And the company has never changed hands.
All of these things are very important to me, especially in this age where most consumer products appear to be designed and built to last a few months or years and then break, so the company, whoever owns it, extracts money from you again and again for the priviliege of owning their failure-prone device, be it a Compaq computer, a Konka TV or a Ford sedan, all of which I'm less than pleased to own.
While Alembics cost more than just about all of their competitors, what you receive will be done right and the craftsmen and -women who built it don't blow you off after they get your money.
Again, bravo.